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Elections in Panama 2019 General Elections Frequently Asked Questions Americas International Foundation for Electoral Systems 2011 Crystal Drive | Floor 10 | Arlington, VA 22202 | www.IFES.org May 1, 2019

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Page 1: Elections in Panama - IFES · Panama’s 2019 general elections will be the first held under the reformed Electoral Code, passed as Law 29 on May 29, ... based on the provisions in

Elections in Panama

2019 General Elections

Frequently Asked Questions

Americas

International Foundation for Electoral Systems

2011 Crystal Drive | Floor 10 | Arlington, VA 22202 | www.IFES.org

May 1, 2019

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Disclosure: These FAQs reflect decisions made by the Panamanian elections authorities as of May 1, 2019, to the best of our knowledge. This document does not represent any IFES policy or technical recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Election Day? ................................................................................................................................... 1

Who are citizens voting for on Election Day? ............................................................................................... 1

How is Panama’s political system structured? What are its policies on presidential reelection? ............... 1

What is the election management body? What are its powers? ................................................................. 1

What are the reforms enacted in the new 2017 Electoral Code? ................................................................ 2

Who can vote? How many registered voters are there? .............................................................................. 3

Is out-of-country voting allowed? ................................................................................................................. 3

Did this election allow for early voting? ....................................................................................................... 3

Who is running in the presidential election? ................................................................................................ 4

Why are these elections important? ............................................................................................................ 6

To what extent do women have equal access to political participation? .................................................... 7

How are electoral authorities promoting equal access to the electoral process for persons with

disabilities? ................................................................................................................................................... 8

How do electoral authorities and political stakeholders use media outlets, including social media? What

is the media landscape? ................................................................................................................................ 8

Will there be observation during Election Day? ........................................................................................... 9

How will voters cast their ballots? ................................................................................................................ 9

How will votes be counted, tabulated and reported? .................................................................................. 9

Resources .................................................................................................................................................... 11

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Elections in Panama: 2019 General Elections

Frequently Asked Questions

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When is Election Day?

On May 5, 2019, Panama will hold presidential, legislative and local elections. Polls will be open from

7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.1 The upcoming elections will mark the sixth time Panamanians go to the polls for

general elections since the ousting of the Manuel Noriega dictatorship in 1989.2

Who are citizens voting for on Election Day?

In the 2019 general elections, Panamanians will vote for:

• The president and vice president;

• All 71 deputies to the National Assembly;

• 20 seats to the Central American Parliament;

• 81 mayors;

• 679 local representatives; and

• Nine councilors.3

All elected officials will serve five-year terms.

How is Panama’s political system structured? What are its policies on

presidential reelection?

Panama is a presidential republic, with three branches of government: executive, legislative and

judiciary. The president and the vice president are elected on the same ballot by a simple majority and

serve five-year terms. Presidents and vice presidents can be reelected for nonconsecutive terms after

two presidential terms have passed. The legislative branch is a unicameral National Assembly with 71

seats, of which 45 are elected by proportional representation and 26 by plurality vote. Collaboration and

coordination between the executive and legislative branches are key in shaping political, economic and

legislative initiatives. Since 1989, Panama has experienced a successful democratic process that has

been validated by five national elections as well as several referendums.

What is the election management body? What are its powers?

The Panamanian Constitution, the 2017 reformed Electoral Code and decrees issued by the Electoral

Tribunal (TE) govern elections in Panama. The TE is Panama’s election management body, responsible

for both administration of the elections and election dispute resolution.4 According to Article 136 of the

Panamanian Constitution, the TE has the responsibility to interpret and apply the electoral law. The TE

administers the elections as well as the registration of vital records, deaths and naturalizations and

other legal acts related to citizens’ civil status, including the issuance of identity cards. The TE has

1 https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/INSTRUCTIVO-DE-MESA-2019-ELECCIONES-GENERALES-PARA-WEB.pdf 2 https://www.as-coa.org/articles/explainer-whos-who-panamas-presidential-candidates 3 https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/DECRETO-22-Y-23-DEL-5-DE-MAYO-DE-2018.pdf 4 https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/organizacion/juzgados-penales-electorales/

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national jurisdiction and is comprised of three magistrates: the president, appointed by the legislative

branch; the vice president, appointed by the Supreme Court; and a speaker, appointed by the executive

branch. The three magistrates serve 10-year terms. Each magistrate can select two alternate members.

What are the reforms enacted in the new 2017 Electoral Code?

Panama’s 2019 general elections will be the first held under the reformed Electoral Code, passed as Law

29 on May 29, 2017. The code’s electoral reforms were further implemented by the Electoral Tribunal,

in its capacity as the country’s electoral authority, through decrees. The decrees define procedures for

independent candidates, political parties, placement of electoral propaganda, campaign financing, and

registration for out-of-country voters, based on the provisions in Law 29.

These key decrees include, but are not limited to:

• Decree 7 (2017) restricts electoral campaign advertising, including prohibiting the placement of

permanent advertisements in specific locations.

• Decree 10 (2017) establishes rules for candidates running as independents.

• Decree 11 (2017) establishes rules and procedures for candidate inscription to political parties.

• Decree 13 (2017) establishes rules for the opening and management of campaign accounts for

independent candidates.

• Decree 17 (2017) establishes rules for public campaign finance requiring that political parties set

aside funds exclusively for training women during the post-electoral cycle.

• Decree 20 (2017) reforms Decree 10 by granting independent candidates’ permission to collect

signatures of support from within the offices of the Electoral Tribunal.

• Decree 22 (2017) establishes rules and processes for the enforcement of sanctions regarding the

release of campaign advertising any time outside the official campaign period.

• Decree 30 (2017) establishes the registration process for out-of-country voting.

• Decree 31 (2017) establishes the reach and limitations of the electoral cycle, including limiting

the campaign period to 45 days before party primary elections and 60 days before general

elections.

• Decree 34 (2017) establishes regulation of electoral finance, including financial registries, and

places limits on private financing.5

• Decree 27 (2018) requires that political parties’ nominations include 50 percent candidates of

each gender.

• Decree 35 (2018) defines requirements for the media, including that television and radio

stations submit a detailed weekly report of any political advertising sold and aired, as well as to

save a digital copy of these advertisements for three months.6

• Decree 11 (2019) decreases the period before elections when surveys are not allowed to be

published, from 20 days to two days before the election. This decree followed a decision on the

5 https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Elecciones-3-correo.pdf 6 https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Periodico-Elecciones-2019-septiembre.pdf

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matter by the Supreme Court of Justice and loosens the limitations on electoral public opinion

surveys implemented by the reformed Electoral Code.7

Who can vote? How many registered voters are there?

Registered Panamanians over the age of 18 are eligible to vote. Currently there are 2,757,823 registered

voters, of whom 1,385,076 are women and 1,372,747 are men.8 Voters between the ages of 18 and 25

constitute 18.91 percent of the electorate.9 Of the total voter registry, 1,333,308 are affiliated with a

political party while 1,424,515 are independent.10

Is out-of-country voting allowed?

In accordance with the Electoral Tribunal’s Decree 53, Panamanian citizens who reside abroad can vote

to elect the president and vice president if registered in the out-of-country voter registry by April 8,

2019.11

The Electoral Tribunal (TE) provided the 7,674 Panamanians12 registered to vote abroad the option to

cast their vote via the internet from April 23-May 2.13 Then on May 3, the TE Electoral Voting

Corporation will print the votes cast via the internet and deposit them in an acrylic ballot box in a public

place until May 5. Those unable to cast their vote by May 2 can still vote in person in Panama on May 5.

Did this election allow for early voting?

For the first time in Panama, the 2019 general elections allowed citizens to exercise early voting. Early

voting was available for this electoral cycle from March 8-April 8.14 The Panamanian Electoral Code

stipulates the following eligibility requirements for early voting:

Article 11. Citizens who are abroad on the day of general elections or popular consultations and

those who are serving in the Public Force, Benemérito Fire Department of the Republic of

Panama and in the National Civil Protection System, Panamanian Red Cross, as well as the

7 http://laestrella.com.pa/panama/politica/podra-publicar-encuestas-hasta-48-antes-comicios/24109216, https://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/politica/tribunal-electoral-establece-periodo-para-publicar-encuestas-politicas-1129045 8 http://www.telemetro.com/politica/elecciones-Panama/voto19/Entregan-Padron-Electoral-Final-habilitados_0_1215478671.html 9 http://www.telemetro.com/politica/elecciones-Panama/voto19/Voto-representa-Padron-Electoral-Final_0_1220878443.html 10 http://www.telemetro.com/politica/elecciones-Panama/voto19/Entregan-Padron-Electoral-Final-habilitados_0_1215478671.html 11 https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/cnpp-conoce-plataforma-del-voto-por-internet-para-los-panamenos-residentes-en-el-extranjero/ 12 http://www.telemetro.com/politica/elecciones-Panama/voto19/Entregan-Padron-Electoral-Final-habilitados_0_1215478671.html 13 https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/cnpp-conoce-plataforma-del-voto-por-internet-para-los-panamenos-residentes-en-el-extranjero/ 14 https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/mas-de-4-mil-panamenos-habilitados-para-el-voto-adelantado-que-inicia-hoy/

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electoral delegates and individuals serving in offices of the Electoral Court and the Electoral

General Prosecutor’s Office, may exercise suffrage for the president through early voting.15

A total of 4,507 Panamanians were eligible to vote early for the president under this new system.

Who is running in the presidential election?

Currently there are seven candidates running in this presidential election. According to Article 289 of the

Electoral Code, candidates running for the presidency and vice presidency must meet the following

criteria:

• Be a Panamanian citizen by birth;

• Be 35 years old by Election Day;

• Not have been convicted of a felony with imprisonment of five years or more, by means of an

enforceable sentence issued by a court of law;

• Not be rendered ineligible by the impediments or conditions outlined in Articles 192 and 193 of

the Political Constitution; and

• Not be ineligible by the established conditions in Article 30.16

Information on all candidates for all offices at stake in these elections, is available on the Electoral

Tribunal’s informed voter website.

The seven presidential candidates are:

• Marco Ameglio

• José Isabel Blandón

• Laurentino “Nito” Cortizo

• Ana Matilde Gómez

• Ricardo Lombana

• Saul Méndez Rodriguez

• Rómulo Roux

Marco Ameglio, with running mate Mario Boyd Galindo

Independent

Ameglio is 58 years old and running as an independent candidate. He holds a degree in business

administration from Santa Maria la Antigua in Panama and undertook postgraduate studies at the

Institute for Central American Business Administration. He has experience in different areas of the

private sector. He first came into public office at the National Assembly, as a legislator and currently as a

representative. He held the posts of president of the Panameñista Party (2005-06) and director of the

15 https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Texto-Unico-Codigo-Electoral.pdf 16 https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/eventos-electorales/requisitos-para-ser-candidato/

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Panama Canal authority. He is running under the motto of “Enough, Panama” (Basta ya Panamá!) calling

for change to the status quo.17

José Isabel Blandón18 with running mate Nilda Quijano19

Party: Panameñista Party

Blandón is the candidate for the Panameñista Party, Panama’s current ruling party. Blandón, age 51, was

a law student when his political activism against the 1988 dictatorship proved successful in convincing

his father, a Noriega advisor, to defect. In 1994, Blandón served in the National Assembly as a substitute

deputy for Marco Ameglio. Blandón won reelection in 1999 as a deputy and served in the National

Assembly until 2014. Currently, he is the mayor of Panama City. As mayor, he has focused on ensuring

party unity and launching urban transportation and infrastructure initiatives.20

Laurentino “Nito” Cortizo21 with running mate José Gabriel Carrizo22

Party: Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD)

Nito Cortizo is the candidate for Panama’s largest party, the PRD, which was the first party to hold the

presidency after Noriega’s ousting and has held the post for 20 of the past 50 years. Cortizo is a

graduate from the University of Texas at Austin and is 66 years old. He first came into the political arena

upon his election to the National Assembly in 1994 and later served as the Assembly’s president and a

minister. Cortizo made inequality and poverty his front-and-center campaign issues, labeling these

issues the “fifth frontier.”23

Ana Matilde Gómez24 with running mate Jorge Arango

Independent

Gómez is an independent candidate for the presidency. Born in 1962, she became Panama’s first female

attorney general in 2004 and the first independent deputy elected to the National Assembly in 2014.

Gómez holds a master’s degree in criminology and a bachelor’s degree in law and political science from

the University of Panama.25 During her early career, Gómez held executive positions in the Panamanian

Continental Bank and the Business Executive Association, and other Public Ministry positions.26 Gómez is

placing an emphasis on education and transparency and advocating for “A Different Panama” (Un

17 https://marcoameglio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Plan-Gobierno-MAS.pdf 18 http://www.blandonjose.com/ 19 https://impresa.prensa.com/panorama/Blandon-escoge-colonense-Nilda-Quijano_0_5230726879.html 20 https://www.as-coa.org/articles/explainer-whos-who-panamas-presidential-candidates 21 https://www.nitocortizo.com/ 22 https://metrolibre.com/actualidad-y-pol%C3%ADtica/politica/158499-cortizo-acert%C3%B3-al-nombrar-a-carrizo-como-su-vicepresidente.html 23 https://www.as-coa.org/articles/explainer-whos-who-panamas-presidential-candidates 24 https://www.anamatildegomez.com/ 25 https://www.panamatoday.com/panama/three-independent-candidates-point-presidency-8358 26 https://www.as-coa.org/articles/explainer-whos-who-panamas-presidential-candidates

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Panamá Diferente).27 Of the three independent candidates, only Gómez has reached poll numbers of

over 5 percent.

Ricardo Lombana28 with running mate Guillermo Márquez Amado

Independent

Lombana is running as an independent candidate. The 44-year-old lawyer began his public-sector career

in 2002 as a delegate. In the past, Lombana worked in the Panamanian Embassy and Consulate in the

United States, as a subdirector for the news editorial La Prensa and an associate lawyer for the firm

Galindo, Arias & Lopez. Currently, Lombana is a both a partner and director at the firm Lombana Law &

Media, a practice that focuses on communication rights. Lombana is running on a robust anti-corruption

platform that advocates “Another Road for Panama” (Otro Camino Panamá).

Saúl Méndez Rodriguez with running mate Maribel Gordón

Party: Broad Front for Democracy (FAD)

Méndez is running as the candidate for the FAD. Born in 1969, he holds a degree in work science and

technical labor relations from the Specialized University of the Americas and a degree in political science

from the University of Panama. He served as secretary general of the Joint Syndicate of Construction

Workers for the 2016-19 term.29 Méndez is running on a platform that advocates “For a Panama for All”

(Por Un Panamá Para Todos).

Rómulo Roux30 with running mate Luis Casis

Party: Democratic Change (CD)

Roux is the candidate for the CD party. He is a 54-year-old lawyer who studied in the United States, with

degrees from Babson College, the University of Miami and Northwestern University. Roux held various

posts during Ricardo Martinelli’s administration, including minister of canal affairs, president of the

Panama Water Authority Committee and minister of foreign affairs. Currently he serves as the CD’s

president. Early in his campaign he invited Ricardo Martinelli, who served as president of Panama from

2009-14, to run as his vice president, a post which Martinelli declined. Roux is running on a platform

that he believes to be reflective of CD values, calling for a “Return to Good Government” (Lo Bueno

Vuelve).

Why are these elections important?

The lead-up to the May 2019 elections in Panama has shed light on issues of intense public concern,

including corruption, demands for a new Constitution, crime, unemployment and a high cost of living.

Corruption, in particular, dominates the public debate, fueled by the ongoing trial of former president

Ricardo Martinelli (in office from 2009-14) on corruption and wiretapping charges from his term in

27 https://www.anamatildegomez.com/transparencia 28 https://otrocaminopanama.com/perfil-ricardo-lombana/ 29 https://sertv.gob.pa/biografia-de-los-candidatos-a-la-presidencia-de-panama/ 30 http://romuloroux.com/

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office. After being extradited from the United States to Panama in June 2018, the former president’s

trial is the cause of great controversy, as debate continues over his upcoming oral judgment.31 Other

heated issues include the Panama Papers and accusations that current President Juan Carlos Varela (in

office from 2014-19) received funds from Odebrecht, a Brazilian construction company involved in a

series of bribery scandals throughout the region. Panamanians are going to the polls on May 5 with

hopes of increased government transparency.32

Candidates are running on a series of platforms centered upon public grievances and voiced stances

during their first debate on February 20, 2019, on corruption, the Constitution, agriculture, trade, health

and education.33 All seven presidential candidates adamantly embraced anti-corruption approaches, by

either incorporating anti-corruption measures in their platforms or highlighting anti-corruption

rhetoric.34 Six of the seven candidates – all but Méndez – reiterated their commitment to the issue by

also signing Transparency International’s pact committing candidates to include anti-corruption and pro-

accountability policy in their platforms.35

Post-elections, the new administration will have to settle points of dispute, including decisions regarding

the addition of a second round of elections and reforming the processes of judicial appointment to the

Supreme Court and electing deputies. Citizens are also rallying for change in the economic, health and

educational sectors. Their concerns stem from a growing disparity in wealth distribution, high indices of

poverty and poor access to health care and education.36

To what extent do women have equal access to political participation?

In terms of international treaties, Panama signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of

Violence Against Women in June 1980 and ratified it in October 1981.

Domestically, Article 303 of the Panamanian Electoral Code stipulates that at least 50 percent of internal

political party nominations for candidacies are women,37 yet results from the 2014 general elections

found that women made up less than 20 percent of the National Assembly, holding 13 of 71 seats.38

Based on the National Forum of Women in Political Parties, in the upcoming elections there is one

woman running for the office of the presidency, 92 women announced their candidacy as deputies, 80

women are running for mayoral offices, and 483 are running as local representatives to their respective

municipalities. 39

31 https://www.as-coa.org/articles/explainer-whos-who-panamas-presidential-candidates 32 https://www.as-coa.org/articles/poll-tracker-panamas-2019-presidential-election 33 https://www.as-coa.org/articles/explainer-whos-who-panamas-presidential-candidates 34 Ibid. 35 https://www.panamatoday.com/panama/presidential-candidates-accept-transparency-challenge-panama-9087 36 https://www.as-coa.org/articles/explainer-whos-who-panamas-presidential-candidates 37 https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Texto-Unico-Codigo-Electoral.pdf 38 https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2018/panama 39 https://impresa.prensa.com/panorama/Sociedad-civil-promueve-voto-mujeres_0_5282471768.html

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How are electoral authorities promoting equal access to the electoral

process for persons with disabilities?

Two years ago, Panama’s Electoral Tribunal (TE) created its Subcommittee for the Preferential

Treatment of Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly, focused on registering and ensuring

accommodations for voters with disabilities and older voters. In preparation for the May 2019 elections,

the subcommittee launched an initiative called “Report Your Disability” (Reporta Tu Discapacidad) to

promote the registration of and ensure the provision of special accommodations for persons with

disabilities and older persons. Voters could register under this initiative by dialing the toll-free number

800-111 or by visiting the TE’s voter information website.40

As of December 31, 2018, the TE had registered 29,644 voters with disabilities – 15,310 women and

14,334 men – under the “Report Your Disability” initiative.41

According to the TE, registered voters with disabilities and older voters will be able to vote on the first

floor of schools or colleges that are compliant with a set of accessibility requirements. The TE

announced that 1,329 electoral staff, including registered assistants, electoral delegates and security

members, will be able to assist voters on May 5.42

How do electoral authorities and political stakeholders use media

outlets, including social media? What is the media landscape?

The Electoral Tribunal (TE) has both a Communications Department and a Digital Media Unit, through

which it holds workshops on issues such as communications management during a crisis.43 The TE uses

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to engage with voters and distribute information relevant to the

Panamanian elections. As of April 15, the TE has over 67,500 followers on Facebook,44 36,400 followers

on Twitter,45 39,400 followers on Instagram46 and 2,400 YouTube47 subscribers, and these numbers are

steadily increasing throughout the 2019 electoral process. The TE uses these platforms to encourage

political participation, including to reach and register eligible Panamanians, as well as to reach voters

abroad, promote civic education and dispel misinformation circulating on social media. The TE also has

online resources available, such as its informed voting website to provide voters with direct access to all

registered candidates’ information.48

40 http://www.telemetro.com/politica/elecciones-Panama/voto19/Personas-discapacidad-registrarse-facilitar-elecciones_0_1194480777.html 41 https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/tribunal-electoral-asegura-accesibilidad-de-las-personas-con-discapacidad-en-centros-de-votacion/ 42 Ibid. 43 https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/equipo-de-comunicacion-se-refuerza-en-conceptos-sobre-manejo-de-crisis/ 44 https://www.facebook.com/tepanama/ 45 https://twitter.com/tepanama/ 46 https://www.instagram.com/tepanama/ 47 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEkREtyiKjqAg2qZV8jgu_Q 48 https://www.votoinformado2019.net/

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Similarly, six out of the seven candidates have their own online pages. Political parties are increasingly

using social media platforms to connect with young voters, who make up nearly 20 percent of the

electorate. The relatively high percentage of young voters this year is predicted to impact electoral

results significantly.49 Voter use of social media platforms as their main source of news is one reason

electoral actors are intensifying their approaches via platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter

to communicate directly with the electorate.50

Panama’s Public Service Authority found that, in 2016, there were 1.3 cellphones for every Panamanian

and that 94 percent of Panamanians accessed Facebook via their mobile device. Cellphone usage is an

increasingly popular point of access for social media platforms, contributing to the rapid dissemination

of information. The increased reliance on social media as a source of election information in Panama

fosters communication between electoral actors and voters but can also contribute to vulnerabilities.

There is increasing concern about the use of social media platforms to spread disinformation, also

popularly known as “fake news.” The spread of fake news demonstrates the need for civic awareness,

verification of sources and good reporting by all actors during Panama’s electoral cycle.51 As part of the

effort to counter the spread of disinformation, some news outlets have established their own fact-

checking columns ahead of the election, including Telemetro’s Panamá Check and TVN’s Bien

Chequeado.

Will there be observation during Election Day?

As of April 18, 1994, the Electoral Tribunal (TE) Decree 31 gives the Panamanian government, through

the president of the TE, the right to extend invitations to political parties, foreign government

representatives, foreign organizations and international organizations to conduct international electoral

observation. The TE classifies observers into two categories: official observers and guest observers.

How will voters cast their ballots?

Voters will be able to cast their ballots in one of 7,027 polling stations located in 2,798 polling centers.

The number of polling stations includes several special voting stations, such as those available in

hospitals. Voters can find information about the location of their respective voting centers and stations

through this website.

How will votes be counted, tabulated and reported?

On Election Day, according to Article 152 of the 2017 Electoral Code, circuit boards will add the results

received from the polling stations for president and vice president and send these to the National

Scrutiny Board. The electoral authorities responsible for the election of deputies will add the results

received from the polling stations and will award the seats based on the provisions of the Electoral

Code.

49 https://www.csis.org/analysis/elections-crisis-and-what-expect-year-ahead 50 http://laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/poder-redes-sociales-marketing-politico/24106574 51 Ibid.

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According to Article 412, on the appointed Election Day, the National Scrutiny Board, the Boards of

Electoral Circuit Scrutiny and the District and Communal Scrutiny Boards will convene at 2:00 p.m. to

receive the results coming from the polling stations and proceed to general counting. The meeting will

be continuously in session from the moment it convenes until the vote counting concludes with the

announcement of the results in accordance with the Electoral Code. As stated by Article 413, the boards

will proceed to tabulate the results as results from polling stations arrive. Once finished, the president of

the National Scrutiny Board, the Electoral Circuit Scrutiny Board or the District or Communal Board of

Scrutiny will announce the results. The validity of the results is subject to a final decision by the Electoral

Tribunal.52

52 https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Texto-Unico-Codigo-Electoral.pdf

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Elections in Panama: 2019 General Elections

Frequently Asked Questions

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Resources

• Website for the Republic of Panama’s Electoral Tribunal (TE): https://www.tribunal-

electoral.gob.pa/

• Unique Text of the 2017 Panamanian Electoral Code: https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/wp-

content/uploads/2017/12/Texto-Unico-Codigo-Electoral.pdf

• The TE’s General Plan for Elections 2017-19: https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/wp-

content/uploads/2017/07/Folleto-Plan-General-de-Eleccones-Web.pdf

• 2019 General Elections Table Instruction Manual: https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/wp-

content/uploads/2018/10/INSTRUCTIVO-DE-MESA-2019-ELECCIONES-GENERALES-PARA-

WEB.pdf

• Registry for Out-of-Country Voting: http://www.rere.pa/ReReApp/FAQs.aspx

• The Electoral Tribunal’s Consultation Resource for Where and How to Vote: verificate.pa

• The TE’s Informed Voting Resource: https://www.votoinformado2019.net/